iPad Air Low Volume on Headphones and Speakers Until Hard Reset

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Level 1

5 points

iPad Air Low Volume on Headphones and Speakers Until Hard Reset

It wasn't always this way but I've found that the speakers on my iPad Air have become much quieter lately. I used to be able to properly hear audio from videos and the like when using the iPad speakers. Now I can't.

Then I noticed that music was quieter through headphones as well. I'll start playing a song and find that its very quiet but goes back to normal when I skip back to the start of the song. Then when I skip ahead to the next track it's quiet again, forcing me to wait a few seconds and skip back to the start of the song to get normal volume again! It's the same when connected to Bluetooth speakers too. I've found I can temporarily fix this issue with a hard reset, but it always comes back again.

Please tell me there's an easy fix for this as it's driving me crazy!

Thanks!

p.s. For some reason I can't post in the proper iPad forum!

iPad Air, iOS 8.2

Posted on Apr 1, 2015 3:11 PM

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Answer 1

matt1g

Level 1

55 points

Apr 1, 2015 3:19 PM in response to nebken

By hard reset you mean a complete restore right? It is definitely a software issue so no idea why a full restore, at least from a computer, wouldn't fix this. Check your music settings pane - make sure sound check is off, that no volume limit is set - (quite a common mistake) and no EQ either. Otherwise this is very weird and a full restore using your computer should fix this.

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Answer 2

nebken Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 1, 2015 3:21 PM in response to matt1g

Sound check makes no difference if it's on or off; the problem persists. Volume limit is off and I don't use the EQ. By hard reset I mean holding down both buttons for 5 seconds. I've been trying to avoid doing a restore...

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Answer 3

matt1g

Level 1

55 points

Apr 1, 2015 3:35 PM in response to nebken

Yeah, sorry but you will probably have to. Try "reset all settings" before you do a restore though, as this might fix the problem as well.

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Answer 4

Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,707 points

Apr 1, 2015 3:36 PM in response to nebken

If it has NEVER been jailbroke, here are some standard repair procedures:

First, try a system reset. It cures many ills and it's quick, easy and harmless...

Hold down the on/off switch and the Home button simultaneously until you see the Apple logo. Ignore the "Slide to power off" text if it appears. You will not lose any apps, data, music, movies, settings, etc.

If the Reset doesn't work, try a Restore. Note that it's nowhere near as quick as a Reset. It could take well over an hour! Connect via cable to the computer that you use for sync. From iTunes, select the iPad/iPod and then select the Summary tab. Follow the on-screen directions for Restore and be sure to say "yes" to the backup. You will be warned that all data (apps, music, movies, etc.) will be erased but, as the Restore finishes, you will be asked if you wish the contents of the backup to be copied to the iPad/iPod. Again, say "yes."

At the end of the basic Restore, you will be asked if you wish to sync the iPad/iPod. As before, say "yes." Note that that sync selection will disappear and the Restore will end if you do not respond within a reasonable time. If that happens, only the apps that are part of the IOS will appear on your device. Corrective action is simple - choose manual "Sync" from the bottom right of iTunes.

If you're unable to do the Restore (or it doesn't help), go into Recovery Mode per the instructions here. You WILL lose all of your data (game scores, etc,) but, for the most part, you can redownload apps and music without being charged again. Also, read this.

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Answer 5

nebken Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 12, 2015 8:11 PM in response to nebken

OK, so I ended up getting a replacement iPad Air from an Apple store. I didn't restore a backup to it and have set it up as new, syncing my apps and music to it all over again.

The speakers appear to be keeping the correct volume level. I am however, still having the issue with songs starting off quiet and returning to normal volume when I skip back to the start of the song. They go back to quiet as soon as the next track starts though so it's still really annoying. Doing a hard reset does fix the issue for a while but it always comes back.

I'd find it hard to believe that no one else is experiencing this...

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Answer 6

matt1g

Level 1

55 points

Jul 13, 2015 10:05 AM in response to nebken

Yup, that is very weird. Im pretty confident it's an issue localised to you and your iPad though as there certainly isn't a known widespread issue like this I have heard of. You are experiencing this problem with the native music app aren't you? And you should also try not syncing all your music back onto it. Restore it again and try downloading a couple of songs from the iTunes store (not from your computer) and listening to them before doing anything else and see if the issue replicates itself then. If it does then I really don't know what else to suggest :/

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Answer 7

Dec 20, 2015 9:03 PM in response to nebken

Try disabling Bluetooth and see how that effects the volume.

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